Lymphangitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Devarkonda, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Lymphangitis being a manifestation of wide concurrently occurring spectrum of manifestations or pathologies. Natural history, complications and prognosis varies from etiology to etiology.

Natural History

Lymphangitis being a manifestation of wide concurrently occurring spectrum of manifestations or pathologies. Natural history, complications and prognosis varies from etiology to etiology. In general the

Lymphangitis due to infectious etiology

Natural history of lymphangitis due to infectious etiology varies widely from organism to organism, but in general, if left untreated or body defenses weren't able to overcome the pathological nature of organism, could lead to bacteremia, sepsis, septic shock, multi-organ failure, and death.

Lymphangitis carcinomatosa

Lymphangits carcinomatosis, being a metstatic malignant condition, commonly results in respiratory failure even with treatment.

Sclerosing lymphangitis

Being a self-limiting and self-resolving condition, If left untreated, it undergoes spontaneous resolvation in weeks.

Complications

Complications of lymphangitis varies from etiology to etiology.

Common complications of lymphangitis due to infectious etiology include:

• Cellulitis
• Pneumonia
• Endocarditis
• Osteomyelitis
• Meningitis
• Septic artheritis
• Peritonitis
• Visceral abscess
• Septic shock
• Multi-organ failure

Lymphangitis carcinomatosa

Most common complications of lymphangitis carcinmatosa are:

• Respiratory failure
• Right Heart failure

Prognosis

Prognosis of lymphangits varies from etiology to etiology

Lymphangitis due to infectious etiology

With appropriate anitmicrobial treatment, most attacks of lymphangitis with infectious etiology resolve within days to weeks.

Lymphangitis carcinomatosa

• Being a manifestation of metastatic primary tumor. Lymphangitis carcinomatosa has extremely poor prognosis with 50% mortality within 3 months of onset of first respiratory symptoms.

Sclerosing lymphangitis

Sclerosing lymphangitis, is self- limiting and self- resolving condition, with excellent prognosis.